Couch to 5k for the New Year?

At this time of year, the temptation to make a new start is strong.

Research shows that our best chance of success comes from selecting a goal that is challenging, valuable, measurable, and specific, with a set deadline.

One frequent New Year's resolution is to exercise more, and a popular method is the "couch to 5k" plan, that outlines how to go from absolute beginner to being able to run five kilometres, in nine weeks. It was created by Josh Clark, a novice runner who wanted to help his mum start running.

"Taking up running can seem like a scary prospect, especially if you feel out of shape or unfit," says the Couch to 5k NHS website.

Golf - the clubbable answer to loneliness?

Unlike football or rugby, golf is a sport that many moderately fit older people could take part in and enjoy. So could it be the answer for widowers who are facing life alone?

The charity Independent Age warns that men are increasingly experiencing social isolation in old age. With loneliness currently blighting the lives of many older people, the Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) believes golf could provide the solution.